Hutchinson man refuses to testify in murder trial

? A Hutchinson man will serve at least six months in jail after refusing to testify at the murder trial of a man accused in a Hutchinson homicide.

Thirty-five-year-old Jose Delacruz was expected to testify this week against Anthony Waller, who’s charged with first-degree murder in the April 2010 death of Joshua Haines.

But on Wednesday, Delacruz refused to testify. District Judge Tim Chambers immediately sentenced Delacruz to six months in jail. Chambers also indicated that Delacruz will go to trial for contempt because a six-month sentence is not long enough.

The Hutchinson News reported that Delacruz is already serving a seven-year sentence for aggravated robbery in Haines’ death. He was acquitted of first-degree murder after a December trial.